#Aizen really could have won if he didn't power up Ichigo I think

[hezuart]

Hi Hezu! It’s been a while, Hope you’re doing Well 😊 since the Blaech TYBW Arc is getting Animated👀(more excited to see the Animation), There are Questions I Got to Ask! What would happen if Ichigo Took Rukia instead of Orihime to Face Yhwach? Would it have changed The story that we Currently have or Remain The Same? (To Me, I Think The Main Characters Ichigo and Rukia should Ended The Final Arc As They Are “🖤The Death and Stawberry🍓” Plus They Started The journey and shouldn’t They have finished the Journey Together as Well? I don’t know The Ending in The Manga was Messed up for Me😖) and Also How Would You have Rewritten TYBW Arc? Sorry That There are to many Questions😅😔

Ah! I almost forgot to Mention, Have you Heard about “Vanitas no Carte”?🤔 it’s Anime About Vampires and More🦋

So the whole thing with Ichigo and Yhwach was already a bit of a mess, what with him stealing Ichigo's powers, the Fullbringers kinda just showing up as a Deus Ex Machina... and the overall rush of the storyline just didn't fit as a finale. I would have completely rewritten BLEACH's final arc so it wouldn't have come down to Ichigo chasing Yhwach through a portal. Anyway, Rukia, despite being more powerful than Orihime, probably wouldn't have made a whole lot of difference in the fight. Her bankai is too dangerous to use on an unpredictable enemy. Her ice powers might have proved more useful than Orihime's powers, but overall I don't think she would have won them the war. She could have very well become an injured damsel in distress too. It is very weird that Renji of all people comes along to the final battle, and not like... ALL of them. Out of everyone, Renji is the one who doesn't belong in the main cast, but they always act like he does. He wronged pretty much every member of Karakura in some way, and he's never made up for it. Rukia spent time in the world of the living and time with the Karakura team  when Renji hasn't. (Even when he did, he spent it with Urahara, who is also a shinigami) So he can't relate to any of them. He may be one of Ichigo's rivals but its just very random for him to come in to assist Ichigo, especially when in the end he barely puts up a fight before Aizen has to interfere. Well for one, to fix the arc, I would have honestly had Yhwach kidnap Ichigo, brainwash him, and train him as a proper Quincy, because Uryu is really useless here. I feel like Uryu, once he realizes Ichigo has been captured and Ichigo is a QUINCY, Uryu would finally have a purpose and kick it into high gear to try and help not only himself but also Ichigo. He's gotta drop his secret agent nonsense with Yhwach to try and get Ichigo out unscathed, which involves needing the help of the other members of Karakura. I’d fix Bazz B and Jugram’s friendship. Maybe have Jugram turn against Yhwach for the sake of Bazz B in the end. (I’d fix a lot of other Quincy characters too, to make them more likable and relatable because honestly I don’t care about any of them) There wouldn't be zombies in the way they were introduced. X-axis guy would never turn into giant mitosis birds because what the fucking hell was that I'd also have more flashbacks explaining the soul king, on top of Yhwach's actual overall plans. Aizen escapes. He never gets back in that chair. At some point maybe ichigos powers go haywire because yhwach is controlling his Quincy side and that clashes with his hollow. Any excuse to see more zangetsu. Maybe Quincy Zangetsu gives up because he knows its inevitable that Yhwach will win, but Ichigo and Hollow Zangetsu manage to convince him. Ichigo gets a badass complete bankai, a perfect fusion of ALL his powers that Yhwach never foresaw, and destroys the man. (See the Bleach Brave Souls all powerful version of Ichigo for reference) Ichigo becomes Soul King, or maybe even Aizen becomes the Soul King. Whoever becomes the next Soul King is placed in Stasis, unable to move or speak……. Or maybe that whole thing is tossed out and they can freely walk around the Zero Squad Barracks. If Ichigo doesn’t become Soul King, then he at the very least would no longer be allowed to return to the human world and he’d probably become a captain, resparking the Shiba family Noble line.

Side note but I’d explain what on Earth was going on with Komamura’s family history, I’d probably kill Toushiro or make him ill (his life was cut in half and he becomes an adult for some really weird reason when he goes bankai… like I know hes the most popular BLEACH character in Japan but he’s been through way too much to come out unscathed like that) Nemu and Mayuri would have never had that creepy Stockholm syndrome chapter sequence. Absolutely kill off Mayuri. Maybe Nemu could take over as the new squad captain in his place. Ichigo’s friends’ tickets would actually be usable and have meaning despite the horrible timing they received them. Orihime and/or Hachigen fix Captain Kyouraku’s eye (because wtf why is that not fixed yet. Like yeah , eye patches are cool but sir there’s people who can fix that for you. Right there. Even Nemu could probably make one for you. Fix it.) Neliel and Grimmjow would have gotten a fight scene against some powerful Quincy, maybe see some Segunda Etapa forms from them. Def a lot more bankais from other characters, especially Hisagi, whose bankai was hinted at, but never received until the novel. 

And probably so much more. I would have rewritten the entire Fullbring arc as well. Given Orihime and Chad proper upgrades. I would have never separated the gang as much as Kubo has the past decade... There’s just so much to fix.  ~~~

I've heard of Vanitas no Carte and I've seen some episodes. It looks really pretty and it seems like something I could get into. The main character sorta reminds me of Lelouch. Unfortunately, the anime has a major tonal dissonance problem. One moment it's very serious or scary, and the next the characters have a complete 180 comedic reaction, and it seems to happen constantly to the point where I'm taken out of the story because of it. And I'm also confused on the direction of it. It seems to tease a romantic subtext with the main characters, Vanitas and Noe, but they both actually have girlfriends??? That they are super romantically involved with? But the girls don't have as much screen time or an overarching plot that truly relates to main characters' overall story? I mean I haven't watched the full thing, so maybe I'm missing something, but we spend a good chunk of time focusing on those relationships instead of the plot at hand and I don’t understand what their purpose in the story is. So I could check it out, but I think it won’t be something I’ll be able to stick to.

[bleachlists]

What if Aizen & the espada invaded in the last arc, rather than the Quincy?

As requested by anon. :)

In today’s “what if” list, we’re going to imagine that the final arc of Bleach did not involve an invasion of the Quincy, but rather an invasion by Aizen and his espada army. How would Bleach have been different then?

1. There would be no Hueco Mundo arc

In this version of Bleach, after Ichigo has rescued Rukia and has returned to the human world...nothing happens. No espada invade. There is no Orihime kidnapping. In this version, Aizen decides to skip that whole part of his plan and instead go straight into an invasion of Soul Society.

Tosen: Aizen-sama, I question your strategy.

Aizen: Do you?

Tosen: Yes. By going straight to an invasion of Soul Society, you are not giving Kurosaki Ichigo any chance to become stronger. He could barely beat Kuchiki Byakuya when we last saw him. He is no match for you.

Aizen: And?

Tosen: That is just - so logical.

Tosen: Are you feeling all right?

Aizen: I CAN BE LOGICAL

2. Soul Society would have no warning of the coming invasion

In the Quincy arc, the Gotei-13 had an inkling that something was up, because hollows were disappearing en masse and only Quincy could cause that. But in this version, there would only be one warning sign: an increase in hollow attacks as the denizens of Hueco Mundo made incursions into Soul Society. And let’s be real. The Gotei-13 never cared about hollow attacks in the Rukongai.

Kira: There has been an increase in hollow attacks in the Rukongai.

Hisagi: ...and?

Nemu: Probably nothing.

Matsumoto: I didn’t know we even tracked hollow attacks!

Kira: ...what is the Gotei-13 even for?

3. The fracciones would invade first

Man, remember back in the beginning of the Hueco Mundo arc when Hitsugaya and the advance force came to the human world and fought Grimmjow’s fracciones and just barely won? Those were the days. Given that there hasn’t been much time for the Gotei-13 to power up since the first arc, Aizen would go ahead and send the fracciones in first. And they would, initially, do a really good job.

Hitsugaya: What on earth? These hollows have zanpakuto!

Hitsugaya: I guess I’ll just attack and see what happens.

Byakuya: Me too.

Komamura: Me too.

Soi Fon: Me too.

Kurotsuchi: WHY ARE YOU GUYS LIKE THIS

4. Sasakibe would not die!

But then, he probably wouldn’t bother to use his bankai though, either.

Sasakibe: I just feel like I should save it for a special occasion.

Aizen: More special...than my invasion?

Sasakibe: Yes?

Aizen: That offends me on so many levels.

5. ...but Ikkaku might

Ikkaku almost died fighting Edorad in the human world - he only won because he used his bankai. Later during the Fake Karakura Town arc, he almost let himself die AGAIN because he straight-up refused to use his bankai when the rest of the Gotei-13 were around. In a battle in which everyone is scattered around Soul Society and he doesn’t want to use his bankai? Yeah, that might not end well for him. Unless...

Yumichika: BLOOM, RURI’IRO KUJAKU!

Ikkaku: Y-you have a kido power?

Yumichika: I’m sorry, Ikkaku.

Yumichika: But how could Bleach end without my revealing this to you? You had to know!

Ikkaku: It would have been a pretty big loose end otherwise.

Yumichika: I know, right?

6. Ichigo would be late

But not because of being trapped inside a Quincy sphere, as in the real arc. It’s more that Ichigo is in the human world and there’s no one to tell him what’s going on in Soul Society. And Urahara tends to do things on his own timescale.

Urahara: Hi Kurosaki!

Ichigo: GAH WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY WINDOW

Urahara: Soul Society is dying - any interest in going back?

Ichigo: Do you even have to ask?

7. Aizen would pull out of Soul Society at Ichigo’s arrival.

I mean, this part of Yhwach’s plan wasn’t too bad, so I think Aizen would copy it - pull out after the initial invasion, wait for Ichigo to go to the Royal Realm, and then jump in after Ichigo breaks down the door coming out. That’s what happened, right? Honestly the Quincy arc confused me a little.

Grimmjow: Wait, what? You’re just gonna leave?

Grimmjow: Only the fracciones got to have fun!

Aizen: Patience, Grimmjow.

Aizen: It is all going according to plan.

Tosen: You’ve been showing so much restraint lately, Aizen-sama.

Tosen: You’re sure you’re feeling all right?

Aizen: Stop asking me that!

8. Squad 0...would totally not show up.

I’m pretty sure they don’t even get out of bed for anything less than a full-on Quincy invasion.

Ichigo: I’m here! Where are the enemies?

Rukia: You missed them, you idiot!

Ichigo: Oh.

Ichigo: Oops?

9. So Aizen would...invade again, I guess?

Maybe with the espada this time. Try to smoke out Squad 0. And to be fair, the Gotei-13 just barely managed to take down Espada 1-3 in Fake Karakura Town. With all ten espada invading at once, that would be pretty bad for them.

Grimmjow: I CALL DIBS ON THE ORANGE-HAIRED ONE

Ulquiorra: We are espada. We do not call “dibs.”

Grimmjow: Don’t be mad just ‘cause I called them first!

10. Especially since Ichigo still hasn’t mastered his hollow powers

So it would be like if the fake Karakura Town battle happened...while Ichigo still couldn’t control Hichigo.

Grimmjow: [looking down at Ichigo’s motionless, beaten-up body]

Grimmjow: I have never been so disappointed in my life.

11. Aizen might win

Like obviously, narratively speaking, the Gotei-13 always manage to pull out a win. But if Aizen invaded quickly enough, before everyone had their power-ups and their extra training, and if Aizen actually didn’t spend a lot of time and effort powering up Ichigo, then he just might do it. 

Aizen: You see? This is why I should have powered up Kurosaki Ichigo.

Aizen: Beating him when he is still at the “stoppable with one finger” level - where’s the fun in that?

Tosen: I thought we were doing this for justice, not fun.

Gin: You always think that, though.

12. But if Squad 0 doesn’t show up...

Then he’s pretty much still screwed.

Gin: I guess the Soul King just doesn’t see you as a threat.

Aizen: I HATE HIM SO MUCH

[keikakudori]

do you think that if given time and proper training with all that ichigo was and going to be in the winter war ( maybe also keeping in mind his potential in the blood war ) without aizen quickly ascending to god-level power, would ichigo have a shot at beating him? it was lightly implied that ichigo was literally the last one ( except for gin ) who may be able to stop him? but his lack of being able to withstand controlling his own potentially dangerous power made it otherwise so. i think the point of the story was that aizen himself was quite a villian that ichigo and co. could and never would fully defeat so him actually being defeated by ichigo may take away from the narrative kubo wanted to tell. but it certainly would be interesting if ichigo technically won more then the half-baked victory in canon. a.k.a kisuke urahara,

i'm not sure if this is a meta question or not so i'll answer it straight out and the answer to that is ... no.

not a hard no but more of a soft one. the fact of the matter is is that ichigo's ... kind of a blunt instrument. the kid's hot-headed and impulsive and he doesn't think in terms of tactics and strategy. aizen, on the other hand, does. and the only time ichigo ever attained enough power to be considered on aizen's level was when he had to learn the final getsuga tensho which led to mugetsu which led to, of course, him losing his power. is ichigo powerful? oh, of course he is! i mean, he's strong enough that ichibe and shunsui actually gave serious thought to considering him to be the next soul king ( which is genuinely fucking horrifying; like shunsui is a character so many people know and like, after all, and he considered that. ) and shunsui made a point of going to ichigo's friends to warn them that he may have to stay within the seireitei due to his power.

but as i said, ichigo's a blunt instrument. he wins his fights with the power of friendship and through instinct and basically plotkai. in a straight up fight, no, he doesn't stand a chance against aizen. aizen has centuries worth of experience under his belt in terms of fighting and he's a man who plans well in advance for how things could go. and i mean -- aizen proves, twice over, that he can stop ichigo's Bankai WITH HIS BARE HAND. you're not SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT, I FEEL? A BARE-HANDED BLOCK TO A BANKAI? and the reason i say that that's part of the reason why ichigo wouldn't beat him is that the second time aizen does it, ichigo is FRESH from beating ulquiorra WHO KILLED HIM. aizen didn't even FLINCH at halting ichigo's bankai that second time.

now, ichigo's definitely got the potential he does in the blood war but the fact of the matter is that he was getting stomped by yhwach before he and renji got to the place where aizen was facing him down. aizen, on the other hand, was facing yhwach who was dosed up on Soul King Juice without any effort at all. but you also have to remember that most of aizen's power was sealed at that point in time. shunsui undid ONLY THREE OF AIZEN'S SEALS. only three. just three seals and yet aizen was still able to go toe to toe with yhwach. if he'd had a fourth one undone, i think the balance of that fight would have genuinely been decisively in aizen's favor.

now, mind you, i find aizen's power fascinating because, unlike most villains? HE WANTS TO LOSE THAT POWER. his power has genuinely made his life more difficult. it has not made it easier. there's reasons why i speak of his power so often and that's one of them. aizen never wanted the strength he does. he has wanted to throw it away. ichigo says it himself that maybe, when aizen gave up hope of ever being understood or having an equal, that's when he started to wish that he was simply ... normal. it's why i think his power's interesting. not because "haha he's so op he's broken" but because he never wanted it. he was born with it and he wanted to get rid of it.

all of that being said, however? yeah, no, i really don't think ichigo would stand a chance in a fight with aizen flat out. aizen has such extreme versatility to himself and his power and that means that he can come up with a dozen ways of how to counteract ichigo without any issue whatsoever.

the reason why ichigo won that day was because aizen wanted to lose. as soon as he felt gin fade from his awareness, that was it. he was done. he'd already lost and everything that came after that, from aizen going fully hollow to kisuke's Kido sealing him away, was simply icing on the cake.

[bansept]

When the fight was over - Headcanon

I recently saw such a beautiful fanart of Ichigo and Orihime after the battle against Ywach, I wanted to write this. I unfortunately forgot the artist's name but to all fanartists, the ones who draw, the ones who paint, the ones who doddle : you are the core of all fandoms. Your art work is loved and looked with wonders by so many around the world. You make us dreams and smile, cry and laugh, and I live and support all of you for healing my unsteady heart with your art.

On with the headcanon! Enjoy!

When the rumble of the battlefield died down, the smoke from all the shots fired on the marble floor of the Soul Society flying away, Ichigo kneeled on the ground, trying his hardest to breathe properly.

His arms, legs, feet, his entire body was aching from the muscle ache of having to wield Zangetsu against the Quincy leader. He was panting on the floor, clearly feeling blood oozing out of his injuries in his feet, where the bastard's attacks had treacherously hit him. Ichigo winced in pain, sitting down as Renji was barely standing, Zabimaru now back to its shikai, back on the shinigami's hip.

"We did it... You did it Ichigo..."

He kept mumbling, not believing his own words. They sounded too beautiful, too idealistic. Was the thousand year-old really gone? What of his last words? Ichigo could feel his brows knit together in worry, mind already ready to think of a way to defend himself if danger were to appear.

But instead, the sound of labored breathing and pants from a voice the two men knew very well.

"Renji! Ichigo!"

They turned simultaneously, seeing an almost healed, but still damaged Rukia holding onto Orihime, who was looking pale. Too pale. Her eyes were almost completely closed, bruises, cuts and burns all over her once smooth skin.

Ichigo didn't think and got up, rushing to her side, even when he felt like he would loose his feet. His body was begging for him to rest, but his mind shut it out.

What was more important than himself was her.

"Rukia! What happened to Inoue? Did someone else attack you?!"

He almost barked, regaining his footing once he was close to the two women. The small one looked utterly devastated to see her friend in such a bad state, and didn't let go of her as she very carefully slid her to the floor. Renji joined the small group to gently pat Rukia on the back, silently looking at the scene.

"Inoue! Hey, can you hear me? Come on, please open your eyes, just for a bit?"

Ichigo tried, leaning close to the light haired young woman, who opened her eyes a bit wider in what seemed an excruciating effort. Ichigo smiled at her before looking for something to place her head on, anything that could be used as a pillow for her.

Rukia noticed him and gave a white cloth, surely an old Quincy cape that had been lost in battle. Ichigo thanked her quickly before placing the garment on the ground, a little white puddle, and making Orihime rest her head on it.

"Inoue... Hey, do you hear me well? Press my hand for yes."

Ichigo gulped down a nervous sweat when he placed his hand in hers, and inwardly gave himself a slap. Inoue was badly injured and he was blushing and angsting over holding her hand... Stupid crush of his.

Orihime, on her side, opened and closed her eyes several times, trying to lick her lips but couldn't really so she kept her mouth agape, making breathing much easier. Everyone could see a light blush taint her cheeks as she held onto Ichigo's hand.

"Rukia, we should go look for some medics. Inoue can't use her powers to heal herself right now." Renji said, voice obviously worried for his friend. The brunette nodded, gently letting go of Orihime, and smiling down at her.

"We will come back soon. Don't make too much movements, okay?"

Orihime blinked multiple times, as if to say a cheerful yes, and managed to pull her lips up into a smile. All the shinigami's puffed out a breath of relief and laughter.

When the two shinigami's were gone and Ichigo was alone with her, simply holding her hand and making sure she kept her eyes opened, that she was conscious and that she didn't move, he felt on edge. The battle had died down for now, and they were in a weak state, it would be fairly easy for someone to pop out and try to embuscade them.

He felt a tight squeeze on his hand, a finger running over his knuckles and immediately turned his head towards Orihime, cracking some bones in the process.

"...Y...You... W...won.... Ku...Rosa...ki-kun..."

She smiled, tears pearling in the corners of her eyes. Ichigo felt his face enlighten when he heard her voice, almost identical as before, but a bit more rough. He scooted even closer and smiled the brightest smile he could at her.

"Thanks to you, Inoue... We won thanks to you. Thank you so much..."

Her eyes widened, forgetting the pain for a moment, forgetting the heavy ruins around them, the smell of dust and blood she smiled at him, a true, wide smile, raising their joined hands together so it was up in the air.

"V... victory!..."

She breathed out and Ichigo took charge of keeping their hands up, hesitating to kiss them. Instead, he gave her a laugh, clear and deep from his heart, which was radiating like the sun.

When the medics arrived, Ichigo refused any types of healing or medicine as long as the girl laying under him wasn't treated first. Rukia and Renji watched from afar while their wounds were being tended. They both snickered lightly at Ichigo's furious scowl when someone tried to tear their hands away from each other.

Orihime was healed pretty quickly, the burns disappearing from her flesh and the cuts sealing back. She quickly sat up, still a deep red carmin as she looked at her friend, who glanced at her with the same expression.

Without a word, she deployed her powers, golden wings traveling to their friends and opening up to heal them, while a smaller pair of her pin fairies opened up around them. There, in the gentle orange like veil, the two teenagers kept close, not saying a word, not making a sound, hugging each other so tightly, neither wanted to pull away.

Ywach was defeated. Orihime had managed to shield Ichigo from many deadly attacks and repair Zangetsu after Tsukishima had used his fullbring. Ichigo had delivered the finishing blow after teaming up with his friends and Aizen.

All was over. All was done.

And yet, as the two humans held onto each other like they would lack air without the other, they knew it was the start of a much sweeter story.

[laromurl]

Bleach Fanfic

Uryu Ishida x Utsuko Nisenosei (oc)

Slight angst, fluff

....

"Uryu." Her voice was soft and broken but she got his attention away from the night sky outside his window.

"Utsuko. What are you doing here?" He was calm and soft. It has been almost a year since they spoke. Even at school he avoids her. After what Kisuke admitted to him about her fate, he just couldn't bring himself to do anything. Admitting his feelings was already a mistake.

"Ichigo told me you got hurt. I wanted to see you. Who did this?" Utsuko cautiously entered the room and even moved to his side. She extended her hand with the purpose of touching him but he flinched away from her.

It wouldn't do any good for both of them if he promised her sweet nothings when she was just going to leave him. "I don't know but I'm fine Utsuko. You didn't have to come." Her turned away from her causing a stinging turmoil in her chest. She rose her hand to her heart to steady her breathing.

She stayed silent for a couple seconds hoping he would atleast look at her again but after he didn't, she cleared the painful ball from her throat. "How much longer are you going to punish me Uryu? We were doing so good after Aizen, and then..." She trailed off because honestly she didn't understand why he was avoiding her.

When he didn't say anything she breathed low and turned her eyes to the ground. "I-I just wanted to say that I love you. You don't have to say it again. I just wanted you to know."

Uryu turned to her, his heart beating a thousand times faster than normal. His cheeks flushed red. "Utsu-"

"Her fate is to die for the soul king. For the balance of the world." Kisuke's words resounded though his head cutting out everything he desperately wanted to tell her.

Uryu cleared his throat. "Utsuko. Let me be clear, we are not meant to be together. Please get over me." His eyes sofftened and he turned his eyes from her. She was his weakness and he was hers.

"Uryu."

He picked up his eyes, this time locking them on her and furrowing his eyebrows ina stern manner to show her that he was absolutely serious. "I don't love you. I made a mistake."

Utsuko's eyes widened for a second as she painfully processed his words. She didn't believe him but she also knew he was trying to keep her away so she simply nodded. "I understand. This is goodbye then." She walked away hoping that he would stop her but by the time she got the hall and she couldn't hear anything from his room. She ran.

She ran and ran until her feet hurt away from the hospital. Away from the stupid pain in her heart. Away from him.

...

Ginjo swiped his sword across Utsuko's chest giving her barely enough time for her to take out her sword. She was pushed back towards the mansion hitting the roof with a loud bang!

Uryu watched the whole exchange and quickly jumped to her aide. "Utsuko!?" He grabbed her arm through the dust but she swatted it away. She way annoyed. He only came to her rescue. Only when he wanted to protect her.

"In fine Uryu. He can't hurt me." She grabbed his arm for help to stand giving Uryu acess to her spiritual pressure.

"Utsuko your spiritual pressure is fading what did you do?" But he already knew. Kisuke had told him that aftet her visit to the hospital, she went to Kisuke. She went to him to give up her powers. She knew about her fate. Of course she did.

Utsuko pulled away and wiped the blood off her mouth getting the next attack ready. She glared at Ginjo who sneered at her. Ichigo was standing infront of the captains and lieutenants that came to help but noone was moving.

Her power was fading. She cursed her powers for leaving so soon, but looking at Uryu she felt a relief in her chest. Through this they can finally be together. They finally get to be normal. Just one more fight.

She lifted her weapon and glared at Ginjo. Suddenly she felt a pirecing pain in her stomach and when she looked down she saw the illuminating yellow light of Ginjo's fullbringer.

"Utsuko!" Uryu scream pulled Utsuko from her shock and she, instinctively, held her hand to her stomach. "Ur-" she lunged forward coughing out blood and the pain took over her body.

Shit. I'm going to die.

Uryu stood up feeling his spiritual pressure fluctuated a thousand times fold as he turned to Ginjo with rage pouring out his body.

....

Utsuko awoke in her room disoriented at first. It took her a few seconds to process that she was back home and the strong smell coming from her kitchen. She got up slowly and finally noticed the change in her body. She could smell the food but she didn't know who it was. She couldn't pick up any spiritual pressure.

Her powers were officially gone. Now she didn't have to die for the soul king. All he needed was her power anyway.

That brought her some relief. Maybe now Uryu can admit he loves her. Maybe now they can be together.

She planted her feet in the cold hardwood, missing her house slippers by a few inches, when the door opened and the light was switched on.

"Utsuko don't move yet. Your bandages will open!" Uryu moved to the nightstand and placed the tray of food he had. He bent in front of her and pulled her shirt up to reveal bandages wrapped around her torso.

"H-Hey! Don't just lift my shirt!" She flushed bright red and she muttered out. Pain shot through her back when she abruptly pulled away from Uryu.

Her agonizing scream freaked him out for a second. "Utsuko get back in bed. I'll bring more bandages." He ran out of the room leaving Utsuko in pain, trying to get back to her bed.

When the pain subsided and Uryu changed her bandages, he cleared his throat moving his redddening face away from her chest. Her had changed her before but now that she was awake and blushing too, it was all just so...tense.

"Uryu what happened?" She asked softly. "After I lost conciousness."

Uryu sighed and sat on the bed bwside her bringing the try to his lap. It was fish soup. Her favorite.

"Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya froze your wounds to stop the bleeding and I brought you back here. Ichigo won against Ginjo and I think he's on his way to the soul society."

"Oh." She was happy Ichigo won.

"How long have I been unconcious. I don't have any of my power left." She looked at her hands to see if she could see anything.

"A week." He muttered. "The first day you seemed to be healing pretty quickly but because of that you lost the remainder of your power." His voice lowered as if he was telling a sad story but to Utsuko there was nothing sad about it.

She giggled, groaning when the laughter pained her stomach. Uryu looked at her confused but she leaned on his shoulder and wrapped her arm around his. "Can you tell me you love me now?"

Uryu quickly stood up almost spilling the tray. He grew stern looking down at her. His lips were pursed and he furrowed his eyebrows to show his disapproval. And she understood. She pulled back to her bed and he stood silent for a few seconds before walking out of her room. Utsuko didn't follow him.

It was true that he had told her he loved her once but ever since that he has made it his mission to avoid her. To disdain her. But then he shows up to rescue her and even brings her back to health. His problem would be gone if he had let her die.

Anger arose in her and she had to say it. It was time she didn't bite her tongue anymore.

Carefully but hastily, she got up and followed the sound of dishes clanking in the sink. Uryu had his back to her. His sleeves rolled up, half the dishes done. For some reason this calmed her down and she moved a chaur to sit.

Uryu jumped at the sudden noise. "Utsuko, you should-"

"Be in bed. I know. I know. Im just tired of being in my room." She breathed out. She wanted to lean ocer the table but she only got so far before the wound began to hurt.

"Hey be careful!" Uryu jumped to her rescue once again. Remembering this, made her angry again.

"Uryu stop! I'm fine!" She smacked his hand away.

He stopped and looked down at her. "Im trying to help."

"I know." She said bluntly. "That's all you ever do."

"What do you mean?"

She snapped her head to meet his eyes in disbelief. "It will help me if you stopped helping me. I don't need you to be there only when I'm in trouble."

"Utsuko-"

"No Uryu." She interrupted him. She was so exhausted. "I'm tired of explanations. I'm tired of us teetering around the subject. If you are feeling guilty because you don't love me then stop. I forgive you. Just...go live your life and stop worrying about mine!" Their eyes were locked and hers were never wavering showing her adamant stand.

"I don't want someone who doesn't love me." She continued. "If you stopped coming around to my rescue, I would get over you."

"That's not what I'm trying to do Utsuko. You don't have any powers because of me! A-And if I tell you...if I admit it...you'll always be in danger."

"Then don't and leave."

That surprised him. Utsuko was always fighting for him. Always telling him that danger didn't matter to her as long as she had him. But she didn't have him either way. Not really. Uryu was the one pulling away, he was the one who had all the power over this relationship. Why couldn't he just choose? What did he even feel? Could he answer that?

He took a step forwards towards the door trying to make up his mind of what to say or how to say it. He couldn't bring himself to leave Utsuko even if she was telling him to but he also couldn't say what she wanted him to say. He couldn't put that pressure on her.

Utsuko lowered her eyes into her hands waiting for him to pass by her side and out the door. He watched carefully as her featured changed from stern to solemn. She was sad and it was his fault.

What could he say now?

He took a few more steps giving her the power to stop him because at that moment if she had told him to kiss her he would have but she kept quiet.

It wasn't her choice anymore. He got up to the brim of the door before growing frustrated. It was all on him! And what did he want?

Without sparing another second, he grabbed her chin and picked up her face. Those beautiful brown eyes had done it for him once and they keep doing it for him. He tightened his fingers on her chin and pulled her to his lips. He was so slow and careful at first it was infuriating for her to wait but she did and it was worth it. She grabbed his cheeks and stood up in her toes. Then she moved her arms around his neck while he moved his to her waist being weary of the bandages.

They only pulled away to catch their breath but it was a perfect oppurtuntiy for him to look her in the eyes and say, "I want you. I love you."

Utsuko smiled wide, not daring to hide the emotions bubbling in her or the tears brimming her eyes. "Finally." She scoffed jokingly. He laughed with her and leaned down to kiss her again and again and again for the rest of their time together.

[shi-daisy]

Black Moon Rising Pt. 2

Welcome back everyone! Here's part 2 of this lil' AU fic. It was gonna be longer but I already went pass the deadline for like 40 min. So I'll just continue it in the final prompt it the week. Hope you like!

@ulquihimeweek

Ulquihime Week- Day 6- Sacrifice/Possession

Black Moon Rising (Pt.2)

"Inoue, what have you done?!" Ichigo asked in disbelief.

"I did what I had to. Ulquiorra was going to die, and I saved him. That's all that matters."

"All that matters?! Have you looked at yourself?! You're a hollow now!"

"And so were you."

Ichigo looked hurt, but she didn't care. Back at Karakura, she had the same expression whenever they pushed her out of the fight. This time the tables were turned.

"That's not the same, and you know it."

"Is it now? Because if I recall correctly you brutalized Ulquiorra in ways far more horrifying than any of us could imagine, you tried to desecrate his body, you stabbed Ishida-kun when he stopped you, and you were about to kill me before Ulquiorra broke your mask and redirected the cero onto himself.

That's quite different from holding a conversation like we are doing now." She smiled venomously. This change seemed to be bringing out all of the negative emotions that she kept hidden for years. It was relishing.

"I went into that form to protect you! You called for help, I couldn't do anything so my hollow took over."

Orihime rolled her eyes. "Yes, yes, you're everyone's hero!" she sarcastically imitated her old self. "Spare me Ichigo, you didn't go into your hollow form to protect us, you did it because you lost, and you can't endure a loss!"

That got a rise out of the redhead, Uryu held him back. "Inoue, we all came here to save you! What happened wasn't ideal, but Kurosaki was just trying to help."

"Funny how you defend him after almost getting cut open, Ishida-kun.

I didn't ask anyone to come for me, the sole reason I came to Hueco Mundo was to protect everyone! But you couldn't understand that, could you? Inoue's the defenseless princess in the tower, so she must be rescued! We need to step into enemy territory without a plan, and fight everything in a ten-mile radius to save Inoue!

Well, that's done. We've all had our fights and your brushes with death, but I am finally safe. I won't return to Karakura, this form is now permanent, and I have no doubts that the shinigami will have me executed. The Orihime Inoue you knew is gone forever. Leave, tell the others I am dead, and don't return to Hueco Mundo. I won't ask nicely again."

Ichigo's anger was redirected at Ulquiorra. "You! You did this to Inoue!"

"I'm afraid you're mistaken Kurosaki. This transformation was the woman's choice, not mine. Unlike you, I believe she's wise enough to choose what's best for herself."

The shinigami prepared to attack him, but instead of clashing his blade with Ulquiorra's he was stopped by Orihime.

Upon transforming, she'd also gained a zanpakuto, her Rikka's powers had been transferred into it, and the shape of the hilt matched that of her hairpins.

“Don’t you dare touch him!” she growled.

“I’m not going to let darkness take you, Orihime. I’ll defeat whatever took possession of you and we’ll all go back home together.”

“You don’t get to decide for me. Not anymore.” From the moment she woke up, Orihime felt a shift taking place within her. Her body and soul had both changed, and this final disregard for her desires was the final nail in the coffin.’ All anyone ever saw me as was the damsel in distress, not even capable of choosing my own fate. Those days are now over.’

“Woman, do you require my assistance?”Ulquiorra asked her.

She smiled at him. “I shall fight alone, If it’s not too much trouble, could you please take Ishida-kun somewhere safe? I don’t intend to hold back.”

“Understood.”

She teleported both herself and Ichigo away from the scene. The shinigami looked ready to fight, but the moment she attacked he restored to blocking. Ichigo didn’t attack her.

‘The moron still thinks I can’t fight.’

Her eyes darkened, now gold over onyx, Orihime charged a cero into her sword. One strike of her blade all it took to break Ichigo’s zanpakuto.

“You’re out of weapons Kurosaki. I’ll let you go if you swear to leave me be.”

Instead of retreating Ichigo stood his ground. “I won’t leave you.I swore to bring you back home safe, and that’s what I’ll do!"

“You really can’t take a fucking hint, can you?!"

She raised her palm towards him, firing a golden cero. Ichigo tried to evade it, but without his Bankai, he was not fast enough. Ichigo kneeled, half of his body was bloody and mangled due to the blast, but he could survive those injuries.

“Last warning. Surrender or I will detach your head from your body.”

“I won’t! I won’t let Ulquiorra get away with what he did to you! I will save you even if I have to kill him again!"

Orihime would have just rendered him unconscious, had it not been for the threat he made against Ulquiorra, Orihime looked him in the eye directly, her gaze was steel and it seemed like in his final moments Ichigo finally understood she did this out of her own accord. Sadly, it was too late, A delicate strike of her blade cut through him, his eyes remained opened, full of realization, but also lifeless.

Orihime cleaned the blood off her sword with one stroke. ‘At long last, It’s over.’

***

There were many outcomes he had expected from the battle, seeing Orihime return to las Noches with the head of Kurosaki Ichigo was not one of them. Soon after arriving she had fainted and he took her to his room and had one of the medics look at her.

As predicted, Orihime woke up a day later. Her wounds were fully healed, and she was happy to see him as well. 

“What happened after the battle?” she asked.

"Lord Aizen has won. He's the new Soul King, but I'm afraid your old town has been destroyed."

She looked sad, but didn't weep. "I see."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. This was bound to happen."

"If you feel rested enough, we were summoned to the throne room. It's urgent."

"Okay. Let's go."

The walk to the throne room was silent, yet pleasant. Orihime held his hand, and he returned the gesture. It seemed she was fond of the gesture.

Before coming into the throne room he ran into the medic that examined Orihime.

"Hello Cuarta, I see Inoue-sama is healthy." The blue haired woman extended her hand to Orihime. "Nice to meet you, my name's Jeanne Dae, I was your medic."

"Nice to meet you too, Jeanne-san. Thanks for taking care of me."

"My pleasure, I must warn you both, Lady Anna has asked for you specifically and she's slightly stressed. Best not to piss her off."

"Um, I hate to come of as ignorant but who is Anna?"

"Lord Aizen's wife. She's his second in command now and also Soul Queen. Just be polite and you'll be fine. Best of luck!"

Once the medic Arrancar left, they stepped into the throne room. He was surprised to see Halibel and her fracción there resting. Nnoitra was also there talking to Anna. She looked to be angry.

"Nnoitra, I swear, if keep pestering me I shall rip out your remaining eyeball and make you eat it!"

That made the whole room grow silent.

Orihime was slightly intimidated. Anna was six feet tall, with pale skin, black curly hair, and cold blue eyes. Those worries subsided when the woman spotted both her and Ulquiorra.

"Cuarta! You're still as handsome as ever! And you must be Orihime Inoue. I'm Anna María, it's nice to finally meet ya."

"Hello Lady Anna, it's nice to meet you too."

"I'll be quick since I'm sure you both want to rest. Now that Sosuke has finally achieved his goals we won't be returning to Las Noches. I want the both of you to rule over Hueco Mundo."

They were both surprised. Ulquiorra spoke first. "With all due respect, why would you chose us out of the remaining Arrancar?"

"Simple. You and Inoue-san were the ones who finally took down Kurosaki. He was Soul Society's triumph card and I'm certain that if he had lived the outcome of our plans would've changed. The two of you are the most powerful among our ranks and took down our greatest foe. It's only natural to have you take over. What do you say?"

Orihime felt a little uncertain, she had never taken a leadership role before, but the offer was tempting.

Ulquiorra was indifferent to the offer, still he would accept if only to keep order in Las Noches. Without Aizen some of the Arrancar might go unhinged again.

"I'm willing to accept the offer, but I'd like insurance that you, or Lord Aizen will provide us with assistance if necessary."

"You have my word, Cuarta. Inoue-san, what about you?"

"I never considered myself a leader, yet this is an opportunity I don't want to waste. I'll give it my all."

"Excellent! I knew I could count on you both. Now, there's a slightly more personal matter I must address.

Some of your friends for Karakura survived, I can relocate then to Naruki City and give them fake memories of a nuclear explosion occuring in Karakura. This way they'll safe and fully taken care of. Is that alright."

Anna handed her a tablet with pictures. She recognized Tatsuki, Keigo, Mizuiro, Chizuru, Michiru, Ryuuken, and Don Kannonji. Those were the only survivors.

"Yes. Please make sure they're taken care of, just...don't let them know I am alive. I'd prefer it if they all thought of me as dead."

"Consider it done. Finally, Yasutora Sado and Uryu Ishida are locked up in the dungeons, if you authorize it, I shall free them and get them the aforementioned services in Naruki City."

"Yes please do so."

"Alrighty then, I think that's everything. I'll be returning to my other duties, you're dismissed."

With that the tall woman left them and went back to her duties. Ulquiorra noticed she was holding her zanpakuto. 'No doubt she's been ordered to carry out executions.'

"Next on the list it's that Kuchiki Captain...Hmm maybe I'll choke him with that dumb scarf of his." Anna was walking away towards the cells. A reckless idea crossed Orihime's mind.

"Wait Anna-san! May I be granted permission to visit Ishida and Sado?"

Anna was skeptical but allowed it anyway. "Yes, of course. I'll escort you."

***

Ulquiorra waited in the entrance to the dungeons. He knew Inoue was capable of handling herself yet he felt uneasy.

"You're jealous the princesa wants to visit those other men."

Grimmjow appeared from the shadows, it seemed Anna had him as a guard.

"What do you want Sexta?" he asked.

"Nothing. Just heard you and Orihime are the new rulers of Hueco Mundo. I'd congratulate ya but I don't think you find that new role appealing."

"That's unimportant. I took the task because it clear that the others wouldn't be able to properly carry it out."

Grimmjow grinned. "Uh-huh, and what about your mate? She probably did it so that Anna wouldn't chop her human friends to pieces."

Those words bothered him. "The woman isn't my mate."

"She turned into a hollow to save ya, and even ripped Kurosaki to pieces. That screams protective mate to me.

Yer' right though, it's not my business what you two do. Just pray she doesn't change her mind. The girl is too far gone to go back."

***

Orihime let them rage and yell before saying a single thing. After their anger faded she spoke.

"I need you both to stay calm. Ishida-kun your father is alive and will be given proper housing and employment in Naruki City as will most of your friends and as will you. Just let Anna escort you there and do not tell the others of my real fate. For all they know, Kurosaki and I were victims of the fake accident."

"...I don't believe this! You expect us to keep quiet?! Tatsuki was a wreck over losing you, she won't accept it, she'll know it's a lie!"

"Then make her believe it! You're a smart guy Uryu, she will listen to you, the memories are better than..."

"Than knowing what you turned into and what you did to Kurosaki?" Chad asked.

Orihime hit the wall in frustration, it almost fell apart. "He threatened to kill Ulquiorra!" she yelled. "I wasn't going to kill him, I was going to leave him slightly messed up and let him go home when the war ended, but he threatened Ulquiorra. I couldn't let him kill him again. I just... couldn't."

Her friends demeanor changed to a more sympathetic one. "You love him, don't you?"

She couldn't answer. That possibility didn't cross her mind until now. Her silence was all the answer they needed.

"Kurosaki is doing alright. His soul went to the Soul Society and is reunited with his family, Anna made sure of it. She also brought Masaki to them, the Kurosaki's be living in the Shiba house."

"It's true. She came to tell us that before bringing you here."

"I see." In a way she felt freed. While there was no guilt for what she did, knowing Ichigo was well off somehow helped her close that cycle.

"I know you won't forgive me, I won't ask for that, but I will ask you, to have a good life. Take care of the others, follow your dreams and live long and happy. I will do the same, even if we are in separate world's. Just do that in the memory of the Inoue you once loved."

"I promise."

"I promise too"

Both Chad and Uryu gave her a tight hug. This would be the last time they saw eachother.

"Goodbye."

***

He didn't say anything. Not on their way back to the room, and not when he locked himself in the washroom.

Orihime knew something was amiss. Ulquiorra looked tense, angry even. She decided to speak with him.

'What am I doing? This isn't right. I'm acting just like Kurosaki did.'

Ulquiorra had ran himself a hot bath in an effort to calm down. As much as he dreaded to admit it he was enraged by Grimmjow's words. When Orihime returned from her talk with the humans, she had tears running down her face and a faint sad smile.

'She's regretting it. She regrets giving up her life for me. That was a sacrifice that should've never taken place.'

Still, it was wrong of him to act so cold towards her. Instead he should offer her solace. 'I'm all she had left.'

Before he could get out of the marble pool and go back into his room, he saw her standing in the doorway. "Can I join you?" she asked shyly.

Ulquiorra swallowed hard. Orihime had nothing but a towel on, and her pretty face was adorned with a faint pink blush.

"Yes, you may join me." He finally answered with a raspy voice.

He turned away as she uncovered herself, only facing her once she was covered up to her chest by water. Even so, her curves didn't leave anything to the imagination.

"Ulquiorra. We need to talk."

"What do you wish to talk about?"

"What happened down at the dungeons."

He braced himself, and spoke as calmly as possible. "You wish to return to you original form. It's understandable as your sacrifice shouldn't have happened so I shall do what's in my power to help you-"

Orihime placed her fingers on his lips, silencing him. It was then when he felt tears forming in his eyes

Orihime chuckled. "No, you're mistaken. I don't want to go back and I don't regret what I did.

Ulquiorra, I didn't hesitate to sacrifice my humanity for you. I knew what the consequences would be and didn't care. You matter more to me than anything or anyone else, and I don't ever want you to doubt that. I want to be with you forever, Ulquiorra Schiffer."

He felt the tears spilling. Never in his life did he think he could find anyone that would truly love him, yet here she was. From the moment they met he felt drawn. It was as if an otherworldly force took possession of him, and urged him to keep her at his side. Yet when Kurosaki almost killed her, he didn't hesitate to sacrifice himself for her. Now she had done the same for him, and they could be together for all eternity.

"Forgive me for my embarrassing behavior. I shouldn't have doubted you.

I shall confess that I didn't care for much before meeting you, my life was nothing but a dark endless void, until you filled it with light. Your optimistic nature, your melodic voice, your bravery, it is all very enticing. I thought our story would end when Kurosaki turned me into ash, yet it didn't.

You wouldn't let us have a bitter end, regardless of the cost. And I vow to prove your sacrifice to be worth it, every single day."

Orihime smiled wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him close. "It's a promise, my dear Ulquiorra."

She crashed their lips together into a lustful kiss. Ulquiorra had never considered himself to be a lustful man, until that moment. He wanted nothing more than to ravish Orihime until they were both exhausted.

"Let's go back to our room, darling. There's a lot I want to do with you."